Home Depot employee wins silver in heptathlon

August 24, 2008

Although the Olympic Games have concluded in Beijing, residents of Kettering, Ohio, still are celebrating the silver medal win by resident Hyleas Fountain in the Olympic heptathlon held last week. Fountain is an employee at the local Sugarcreek Township, Ohio-based Home Depot store, as part of the retailer’s Olympic Opportunities program.

Fountain is the only American other than Jackie Joyner-Kersee to medal in the heptathlon, according to the AFP news agency. The heptathlon, the women's alternative to the men's decathlon, combines seven events, including an 800-meter run, 100-meter hurdles, 200-meter run, high jump, shot put, long jump and javelin throw.

Fountain initially won the bronze medal, but was later awarded the silver after runner-up Lyudmila Blonska was expelled for doping on Saturday.

There were 37 Home Depot-employed athletes who qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games through the program. In all, Home Depot currently sponsors 130 athletes through the program.